SPEX05-CR-029 - Category 5 Special Exception amendment
requesting an increased capacity of students and expansion
of school facilities. The original application SE96-CR-06was approved on May 21, 1996.

SPEX06-CR-012 - Category 5 Special Exception requesting
approval of a high school; not to exceed 100 students and 10
staff.

SPPT06-CR-020 - Category 5 Special Permit for expansion of
the pre-school facility not to exceed 120 students and 12
staff members.

SPEX05-CR-035- Category 20
Special Exception request for approval of a commercial
private sewage system serving the school site with a maximum
capacity of 5,800 gallons per day.

Summary:

The
proposal seeks to amend a previously approved Special
Exception for the Midland Christian Academy (MCA) to allow
for an increased capacity of students/administration and to
construct new school facilities for up to 567 students and
staff. This includes the addition of grades 5 through high
school and preschool expansion. In summary, primary and
middle school totals will be 300 students plus 25 staff;
high school capacity will be 100 students plus 10 staff; and
preschool will total 120 students plus 12 staff.

A private
sewage system is required for this increase in use. The
applicant’s soil scientist identified drain field sites with
capacity for 5,800 gallons per day or up to 580 persons.
The proposal consists of four (4) parcels totaling
approximately 23 acres.

Midland
Christian Academy operates under the auspices of the
Commonwealth of the Virginia Department of Social Services
Religious Exemption. It is also a member school of the
Association of Christian Schools International and Virginia
Council for Private Education. It is in its first year of a
3-year process of accreditation by the latter two
organizations.

Dominion
Soil Science, Inc., the applicant’s soils consultant,
provided a letter stating that it had conducted a soil study
in October 2005 to delineate a subsurface sewage treatment
and disposal system to accommodate 567 students and staff.
Six (6) drainfield sites were found that could support
approximately 5,800 gallons per day or 580 persons. This
mass drainfield system will utilize secondary pre-treatment
with drip dispersal. Final design capacities will be
determined after wastewater engineering studies and designs
are completed. The Virginia Department of Health’s Sewerage
Handling and Disposal Regulations estimate sewage flows at
ten (10) gallons per person per day for school uses.

Land Area, Location and Zoning:

The
properties are located at 10456 Old Carolina Road (Route
602) in Midland. They are zoned Residential (R-1). A map
of the properties is shown below.

Neighboring Zoning/Land Use:

The subject property is currently
zoned R-1. It is bounded by R-1 property on all sides with
the exception of a small corner of the southernmost parcel
which touches a parcel zoned Commercial (C-2).

On February
16, 2006, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on
this item. The Commission unanimously recommended
forwarding this item, subject to a series of development
conditions, to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

Staff
Analysis

Staff and the appropriate referral agencies have reviewed
this request for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan,
the Zoning Ordinance, and other relevant policies and
regulations. Findings, comments, and recommendations are
available upon request.

Summary and Recommendations:

Staff asks
that the Board of Supervisors consider the Planning
Commission’s recommendation of approval, subject to the
Special Exception conditions. Staff concurs with this
recommendation. The applicant has met with staff and with
Chairman Graham, Cedar Run District Supervisor and worked
out project refinements.

Identify
any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that
would be affected by this request: